Age and the role of restricted activities in adjustment to disability-related pain

Chronic pain is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury and is associated with depressed mood. This may be because pain creates interference in performing and enjoying valued activities. The importance of pain interference may also vary with age, since older adults may have lowered expectations regarding function. This study analyzed relationships among pain variables, age, and mood in 521 individuals with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. As predicted, pain interference mediated the relationship between pain severity and depressed mood. There was no evidence that older adults were less distressed by pain interference than were younger adults.